Emergency Response/Evacuation

Emergencies, disasters, accidents and injuries can occur at any time and without warning. Being prepared physically and mentally to handle emergencies is an individual as well as an organizational responsibility.

McHenry County College has established emergency procedures for you to follow so that the effects of those emergencies can be minimized. Your safety is of primary importance.

The purpose of this information is to acquaint you with a plan for handling emergencies and disasters. Once you are familiar with this information, you will be able to protect yourself and perhaps save a life.

The more prepared you are, the better you will respond to an emergency situation. No matter what the crisis: think before you act; then act swiftly to minimize your exposure to danger. Read this guide thoroughly before an emergency occurs.

Call 911 for Campus Police and Crystal Lake Fire Department for a life-threatening emergency. When calling 911 on an MCC phone, it is not necessary to dial 9 first. Campus Police and the switchboard are automatically notified of your location when you call 911 from a campus phone.

In an emergency, when in doubt, call 911.

Medical Emergency Procedures

Life Threatening Injury or Illness

Do not leave the injured/ill party alone.

Designate a sepcific person to call 911 and relay information to emergency personnel.

If trained to do so, begin providing first aid/CPR.

Campus Police personnel are trained first responders in first aid/CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator).

Mental Health Emergency and Crisis Assistance Options

Fire

Make sure you know the location of fire, exits, alarms and extinguishers for your area.

Call 911 immediately.

If a minor fire appears controllable (waste basket size), call 911, then locate the nearest fire extinguisher and promptly direct the charge of the fire extinguisher toward the base of the fire.

If fire is not controllable, locate the nearest red fire alarm box on a hallway wall and pull down on the white handle to activate the building’s alarm system.

Immediately evacuate the building and call 911.

When you get outside, proceed at least 500 feet away from the building to the farthest area of the parking lots. Keep fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency personnel and vehicles.

Assist people who are mobility-impaired to exit the building.

Do not use the elevators during a fire.

Smoke is toxic. If smoke is present, stay close to the floor.

If you are last to leave an office or classroom, close the door on your way out.

When you get outside, proceed at least 500 feet away from the building to the grassy area on the other side of the parking lots. Keep fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency personnel and vehicles.

Earthquake

Earthquakes generally occur without warning and may cause minor to serious ground shaking, damage to buildings and personal injury.

Upon the first indication of an earthquake, direct all persons to drop, cover and hold. Dropping, covering your head (and your body by being under a strong table if possible), and holding onto furniture (even if it is moving) offers the best overall level of protection in most situations.

In cases where an earthquake is less violent, you might be able to move to a more advantageous position (e.g. away from breaking windows, overhead hazards, etc.) as you drop, cover and hold.

If outdoors, direct individuals to move away from buildings, gas and electrical lines.

Be prepared to relocate to a remote site if an off-campus evacuation is ordered.

Shelter-In-Place

Shelter-in-place is used when evacuation would put people at risk, such as severe weather or hazardous material release outdoors. Shelters may change depending on the emergency. An announcement will be made using the building public address system.

Move students and others into designated safe areas such as inside rooms with no windows, bathrooms, utility closets and downstairs hallways without outside windows or doors.

Close classroom doors when leaving.

Have everyone kneel down and be ready to cover their heads to protect themselves from debris.

Remain in the designated safe area until the all-clear is given.

If outside, instructors will direct students into the nearest College building or appropriate shelter.

For severe weather, if there is no time to get into a building or shelter, attempt to squat or lie low in the nearest ditch or low spot away from trees and power poles.

Bomb Threat

If you observe a suspicious object or potential bomb in a campus building or on the grounds, do the following:

Do not touch the object.

Do not turn anything on or off.

Evacuate the area immediately.

Call 911 to contact Campus Police.

Do not use cell phones or two-way radios.

Remain calm.

If you receive a bomb threat, do the following:

Look at your phone display to see the Caller ID and record the phone number.

Keep caller on the line as long as possible and alert others in the area.

Explosion or other Similar Incidents

Take cover immediately under tables, desks and other objects that will provide protection and cover from falling glass or other debris.

Call 911 immediately after the effects of the explosion subside. Describe the nature of the emergency and give your name and location. If you are unsure of your location, describe your surroundings.

Activate the building fire alarm system, if necessary.

Walk quickly to nearest marked exit when you hear the fire alarm or when you are told to evacuate the building by a College official.

If smoke is present, stay close to the floor.

If an emergency exists, the building fire alarm will be activated –evacuate immediately.

assist people who are mobility-impaired to exit the building.

do not use cell phones or two-way radios.

do not use the elevators during an evacuation.

Close classroom and office doors as you leave the building.

When you get outside, proceed at least 500 feet away from the building to the area on the other side of the parking lots. Keep fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency personnel and vehicles.

Persons with Physical Disabilities

Mobility-Impaired Persons

Frequently, mobility-impaired persons have respirator complications. Remove these people from smoke or fumes immediately. The needs and preferences of mobility-impaired persons will vary. Always consult the person as to his/her preference with regard to the following:

Ways of being removed from the wheelchair. Wheelchairs should not be used in stairwells if at all possible.

Whether a seat cushion or pad should be brought along if they are removed from the chair.

Being carried forward or backward on a flight of stairs.

Visually Impaired Persons
Most visually impaired persons will be familiar with the immediate area. In the event of an emergency, tell the person the nature of the emergency and offer to guide him/her to safety (this is the preferred method when acting as a “sighted guide”). As you walk, tell the person where you are and advise him/her of any obstacles. When you have reached safety, orient the person to where he/she is and ask if any further assistance is needed. Do not leave the person alone.

Note: Visually impaired persons may be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when the request for evacuation comes from a stranger. A Guide Dog could become confused or disoriented in a disaster. People who are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as their dog, to safety during an emergency.

Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may not perceive emergency alarms; therefore, an alternative warning technique is required. Two methods of warning are as follows:

Turn the light switch on and off to gain attention. Then through gestures or in writing, indicate what is happening and what to do.

Write a note which describes the emergency and the nearest evacuation route (e.g., “Fire—evacuate area. Do not use elevators”).